Obama and McCain Searching for the Elusive Midwestern Votes

Obama accuses McCain and Sarah Palin of using attacks against his character to divert attention from the economy.

OHIO(RUSHPRNEWS)10/09/2008--Obama, the Democratic nominee, will hold a series of rallies in Ohio, while Republican rival McCain will make appearances across Wisconsin. The presidential race is close in each of those states.

Obama talked about the weakened U.S. economy Wednesday during a campaign stop in the mid-western state of Indiana, a traditional Republican stronghold in presidential elections. He also accused McCain and his vice-presidential running mate, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, are using new attacks against his character to divert attention from the economy.

McCain and Palin spent part of Wednesday in Pennsylvania, where McCain questioned his opponent's record. McCain said Obama would increase government spending, and has requested nearly $1 billion in "earmark" spending allocations for projects favored by specific members of Congress, during his three years as senator.

In a related development, Palin's husband Todd says he took an active role in trying to get his former brother-in-law fired from his job as a state policeman. Palin acknowledged his role in an affidavit he gave for a legislative probe over the dismissal of the state's public safety commissioner. The former commissioner has accused Sarah Palin of firing him for refusing to dismiss his ex-brother-in-law.

Todd Palin says he spoke to several officials about Trooper Mike Wooten, accusing the officer of threatening his family and engaging in other forms of misconduct. But Palin insists his wife knew nothing about his efforts.

By VOA News-Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.